WSSNEWS | Volume 39 No. 18

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2025

California's Uber and Lyft Drivers May Soon Be Forced to Become Union Employees

The California Legislature may soon settle a long-standing debate over Assembly

Bill (AB) 1340, a contentious proposal that would let rideshare drivers unionize by relinquishing their independent contractor status.

Both sides of this issue have been in a standoff for over 10 years supporting dif- ferent bills in the past and challenging them in the California Supreme Court. Ever since Uber launched in 2009, there's been an ongoing debate on whether rideshare drivers are independent contractors, as claimed by the apps, or bona fide employees, as claimed by labor advocates and workers.

Paving the way for AB 1340 was a decision surrounding Prop. 22 handed down by the California Supreme Court. Gig-economy companies had invested millions into Prop. 22. After voters approved it, labor advocates began contesting certain aspects of the legislation in court. They eventually scored a victory in the Castella- nos v. State of California case that said the ballot measure couldn't prevent future legislation to allow rideshare drivers to unionize.

The path to AB 1340 was cleared by a key California Supreme Court deci- sion involving Proposition 22. Gig-economy companies had invested millions to pass Prop. 22, but after voters approved it, labor advocates challenged parts of the measure in court. They ultimately won a major victory in Castellanos v. State of California, where the court ruled that Prop. 22 could not block future legislation allowing rideshare drivers to unionize.

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By Edward Henderson | California Black Media lyn

Lyft

'Stuff the Bus' to Benefit Residents in Need

FNORS INC DEBUTE

Sign Up to Serve

Victor Valley Transit is partnering once again with The Life Church in Victorville for "Stuff the Bus," the kickoff to High Desert, We Love You week. Last year, the community donated more than 22,000 pounds of clothing, which were distributed to five local nonprofits to sup- port residents in need.

This year's drive focuses on professional at-

Stuff The Bus

Sunday, Aug 3rd

Life Church 12199 Industrial Blvd, Victorville, CA tire to benefit individuals served by the City of Victorville's Symba Center, part of the Victor- ville Wellness Center, as they prepare to reen- ter the workforce, and it will also collect per- sonal hygiene items to support the health and dignity of neighbors experiencing hardship.

Stuff the Bus will take place Sunday, Au- gust 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Life Church, 12199 Industrial Blvd., Victorville, with drive- through drop-off available or the option to join services at 8:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., or noon.

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